On the eve of the big match between Italy and France, set for tomorrow at 20:45 for matchday five of Nations League A, French coach Zinedine Zidane spoke at his press conference. He presented the game with the latest on line-ups, announcing Mbappé’s absence, but also revealed a future desire.
“Why Not?”
As a former Juventus player, Zidane said he would like to return to the Bianconeri as a manager. “If I continue to be a coach, one day I would like to. Why not?! You never know… Lippi taught me that you must never stop and always insist.”
He recalled an anecdote from his playing days. “At the beginning at Juventus I did not play well. The fans and the press did not love me, and I suffered a little, but Marcello always told me I would play in his Juventus. I owe him everything.”
The Contract Obstacle
Calciomercato.com says that, to guess when he could return as a manager, you first have to look at his France contract. It was signed last August, runs for five years and expires in June 2030. He could leave before the natural expiry, though the federation’s idea when he arrived was, and still is, to go to the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with Zidane in charge.
Spalletti’s Position
On the Juventus side, the article says the manager is Luciano Spalletti, but his future, “more than ever,” is tied to results. In recent weeks there had been talk of a possible dismissal, but two wins in the last three matches have quieted the rumours. Eyes remain on what may happen, because results have improved but something remains to be fixed.
Even if the situation were to collapse, it would not be Zidane who takes Spalletti’s place. For the French manager’s eventual arrival, the article says, you will have to wait a few years, and much will depend on when it happens and how the post-Spalletti manager does: whether he opens a cycle and stays a few years or the club has to change course quickly. If Juventus did call, his reaction would matter, and if he did not feel able to leave the France job he would decline.
His Record So Far
Before becoming France coach, Zidane tied his name as a manager to only one team: Real Madrid. Starting from Castilla, he was promoted to the first team in January 2016 and in five years won three Champions Leagues (the only manager to win three in a row), two Club World Cups, two league titles, two European Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.
As France coach he debuted on 25 September with a win over Turkey. After his first four matches as coach of the Bleus he is still unbeaten, with three wins, including the double header with Belgium, and a draw in Paris against Italy a month ago. Tomorrow he faces the Azzurri on 12 November at 20:45, then Turkey on Sunday 15th at the same time.
Inzaghi’s Name Persists
Juventus have also been linked in recent weeks with Simone Inzaghi, the current Al-Hilal manager and an old favourite of the Bianconeri who could return to Serie A if concrete possibilities arise. In the event of a separation from Spalletti, the article says, it is not excluded that Juventus would try. His contract with the Saudi club expires in June, and no negotiation for a renewal has yet been opened. This matches the Gazzetta reporting earlier in this period that Inzaghi is Carnevali’s dream.
